Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-15
THE EMERALD ISLE.
Representative Irishmen
at Washington.
A BRILLIANT RECEPTION.
Senators Sherman and ingalls,
DenOunce the Course Pursued
by Ems land.


Associated Press Dispatches 60 the HERALDl
WASHINGTON, December Ia. - Sir
Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde and
the Hon. Arthur O'Connor arrived
this afternoon, and were rendered q
reception at the Masonic Temple by
the Irish soc alists of the city. When
the distinguished guests arrived at
the temple they were escorted to seats
on the platform, where large num-
Der Of senators and representatives
were present to do them honor.
SHERMAN SPEAKS.
Senator Sherman was chosen chair
man. He was greeted with loud
applause and on acknowledging the
compliment, said that he believed he
spoke the general voice of the people in
every part of the Union when he said
to the distinguished guests that the
sympathy of America went faithfully
and heartily in strong desire that
they might have home rule in Ireland
to the full extent demanded by
Parnell and Gladstone. He wanted
Ireland TO possess the same rights as
those EMO, ed by the people of the
United States. Why was it that the
British government denied to
the gem OF the British empire
what was conferred on all the
colonies Of this great empire. Irish
men had led in the advance OF all the
great battles which England had
fought for two centuries. Ireland had
furnished the Demosthenes and
Ciceros Of modern times. Ireland
had produced great men IN every
branch of life. He hoped that the
pleading voice of Gladstone, the
greatest statesman of the age, would
induce the British Parliament to
grant home rule.
INGALLS, WAKES ELOQUENT.
Senator Ingalls,, after the applause
with whict, he was greeted had SUBJ
sided, said that two illustrious Irish
members of the British Pa lament
have crossed the ocean to tell the
story of the wrongs OF Ireland. They
are here for the purpose of ascertain
ing the sentiments OF the American
people upon this great question which
is now occupying the .tlention OF man
all over the civilized world. "We
have assembled this evening for the
purpose OF saying that the cause OF
Ireland is the cause of Amer ca and
the cause of humanity itself. II we
are called upon to choose bet~ cen ex-
pressing our sympathies for Great
Britain or for Ireland in this contest,
no American citizen will long hest
tate as to what his preference shall
he. Great Britain should not
forget that 1000 900 people de-
termined to be- free can never be
enslaved, and Great Brita in should hot
forget that 100000 citizens in the
thirteen original colonies revolted and
achieved independence under far less
provoca,ion than the 1000 900 of Irish
people have endured for centuries"
He did not desire to intrude upon the
county OF the nations, but he could
not forget that the brutal and degrad
ed British soldiery, within the MEM
ory Of men who might be now within
hearing of his voice, had sacked this
capitol. He coult not forget that in
every great crisis in American i,tory.
we have to contend with the i'll will
and malevolence of the governing
classes OF Great Britain, that she con-
certed with the South and equivOcated
with the North, and committed every
thing short of actual hostility to Sc
cnre the downfall of the American
Union. During that awful period was
not the battlefield for American liberty
replete with scenes OF Irish valor and
consecrated by l'ish blood?
SIR ARTHUR CRATES.
Ingalls, then introduced Sir Arthur
O'Connnr, who was received with
cheers. He said that he was sensible
Of the greatness and sacredness OF the
cause Whi h he had the honor to rel'-
resent here in Washington, the head
quarters of reedom and the capital
vi the grandeet and freest community
the world had ever seen. No cause
which Was not just could call for
such distinguished audience.
Ireland was attempting by the
force of organized public opin-
ion, by constitutional and peaceful
means to secure the repeal, not of the
law, but vf conquest. 1t was an at
tempt to repeal the conquest Of Ire
land. Mr. O'Connor spoke eloquently
OF the wrongs endured by Ireland
during the 700 year, of English rule
since that conquest, and proceeded to
give picture OF the oppression and
hardship to which the Irish people
were compelled to bow, and deta led
the demand which the Home Rule
party made upon the British govern
ment. They had come here to thank
America for past aid and to ask for its
continuance until the crisis now i'm
pending is passed.
HAWLEY's COMMENTS.
Senator Hawley said that o Connor's
speech was a statement of terrible
wrong which must be remedied.
Resolutions were unanimously
adopted declaring the Tory policy
toward Ireland subversive of liberty
and justice; expressing admiration
for Parnell and the Irish Parliamentar
party; thanking Gladstone for his
course toward Irelard, and pledging
financial assistance.
A NATION CASE,